Farrowing is a critical period in sow’s production cycle in which they are more susceptible to some troubles like constipation. These troubles result in a decrease of sow’s welfare, an appetite alteration and a decrease of milk quality and/or quantity. Constipation has also a negative impact on sow’s microbiota by promoting Escherichia coli proliferation. To avoid these situations, it’s important to manage sow’s microbiota during peripartum.
Citrus extract molecules effect on microbiota is documented in many research. However, the extracts available on market vary in term of composition and concentration of active compounds, which can lead to variation in the obtained results. This study was set up with a standardized natural citrus extract (SNCE) in order to evaluate its effect on sow’s microbiota and productivity. In a commercial farm (west of France), 100 sows on peripartum were divided in 2 groups: a trial group (27 sows) received diet supplemented with SNCE (2500 ppm, 10 days before farrowing and 5 days after) and a control group (23 sows) received diet without supplementation. Zootechnical performances (feed intake, litter weight gain), first dejection after farrowing, as a marker of intestinal transit, were monitored and microbiota composition of the 2 groups were assessed.
Results showed that the SNCE supplementation significantly reduced the “first dejection- farrowing” interval, which indicate a better and faster transit after farrowing. Supplemented sows had a higher feed intake and a higher litter weight gain compared to control group. Moreover, PCR analysis of faecal microbiota showed that the bacterial composition of supplemented group had more Lactobacillus (L. reuteri, L. amylovorus) compared to control group. These results suggest that feed supplementation with SNCE, which allow to modulate microbiota, have beneficial effects on sow’s productivity and piglet in pre-weaning period. Monitoring microbiota could be the first step of a global demidication strategy.